TSG Hoffenheim’s basic order currently provides for only one place in the forward line. Much to the chagrin of Munas Dabbur. Sebastian Hoeneß encourages the attacker, but also challenges him.
Last Saturday, Dabbur once again took his place on the bench, and presumably that will be the case again this Saturday (15.30, LIVE! at kicker.de) in Stuttgart. Because Ihlas Bebou seems to be set at the moment. “He had the second most scoring points last season behind Andrej Kramaric,” says Hoeneß, citing a weighty argument in favour of the Togolese, even though he has yet to score a goal in 2021/22. Hoeneß’ also puts Bebou’s speed and very good run-up behaviour on the scales.
On the other side is Dabbur, a true penalty area striker who could actually be worth his weight in gold when measured against Hoffenheim’s high number of crosses – against Wolfsburg he had to watch 90 minutes. “Of course we know about his qualities in the box, we will need his scoring threat,” says Hoeneß. Nevertheless, the wild card role can hardly satisfy Dabbur with his 29 years, with his CV at RB Salzburg or FC Sevilla and ultimately not TSG either with a transfer fee of twelve million euros. “Munas is a player who demands to be on the pitch a lot,” says the coach, but he knows that “others do that too. He knows about our competitive situation.”
Sargis Adamyan or Georginio Rutter can also operate up front, although both can also come across the line. Looking at Bebou and Dabbur, Hoeneß says Solomon-like: “I’m happy to have both of them.”
Bitter for the Israeli: time and again minor injuries set him back, last season a COVID-19 infection, plus a private issue. But: “He’s stepping on the gas,” Hoeneß praises, only to add: “That’s also the clear expectation. That’s the only way he’ll have the chance to get back in. That’s what he’s doing, that’s what I like about him.